Pest identification
What's eating my joseph's coat plant?
Spider mites
Signs: Fine pale stippling across multi-coloured leaves; webs in leaf joints; leaves lose vibrancy and look dusty or bronzed.
Control: Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil, covering all leaf surfaces and undersides. Increase humidity. Repeat weekly for three to four weeks until clear.
Aphids
Signs: Clusters of soft insects on succulent stem tips and new foliage; distorted growth; sticky honeydew drops on leaves.
Control: Wash plant under running water. Apply insecticidal soap solution to all affected areas, repeating every five to seven days. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds that produce lush growth aphids favour.
Mealybugs
Signs: White waxy cottony masses at leaf axils and stem nodes; honeydew residue; weakened and yellowing growth.
Control: Remove individuals with an alcohol-dipped cotton swab. Apply insecticidal soap spray to the whole plant and repeat every 10 days until no new mealybugs appear.
Keep joseph's coat plant pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Joseph's Coat Plant pests — FAQ
What is eating my joseph's coat plant?
Joseph's Coat is a soft-stemmed foliage plant troubled most by spider mites in dry indoor conditions and aphids on new growth. Mealybugs also hide in the dense, colourful leaves. When grown outdoors or in a sunny porch position, slugs and caterpillars may additionally chew the foliage. Good air circulation and regular inspection are the best controls.
How do I get rid of spider mites on joseph's coat plant?
Fine pale stippling across multi-coloured leaves; webs in leaf joints; leaves lose vibrancy and look dusty or bronzed. Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil, covering all leaf surfaces and undersides. Increase humidity. Repeat weekly for three to four weeks until clear.
How do I get rid of aphids on joseph's coat plant?
Clusters of soft insects on succulent stem tips and new foliage; distorted growth; sticky honeydew drops on leaves. Wash plant under running water. Apply insecticidal soap solution to all affected areas, repeating every five to seven days. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds that produce lush growth aphids favour.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on joseph's coat plant?
White waxy cottony masses at leaf axils and stem nodes; honeydew residue; weakened and yellowing growth. Remove individuals with an alcohol-dipped cotton swab. Apply insecticidal soap spray to the whole plant and repeat every 10 days until no new mealybugs appear.